Today I started my car for the first time in two weeks since I have been on vacation, and was greatly startled to hear a new, distinct tick coming from the engine. I ran the car for about a minute and thought I was hearing a lifter tick. It made this tick not just at idle, but at all engine speeds. This is not my video, but the car sounds just like this:
98 Volvo S70 GLT Engine Ticking - YouTube

Now, I did a bit of research and figured out that it is probably a low oil situation in the lifters since they are hydraulic and the oil can drain out after sitting for a while.

I also checked the oil after I let the car sit for about five minutes and the oil level was a bit low. In fact, the oil level was just barely (like 1/16) above the minimum fill level. I figure that combined with the fact that my car has been sitting for a while means that one of my lifters is ticking. Still, I wanted to get some info from you experts before I did anything besides add oil and drive the car around.

Do I need to do anything other than add oil, like have the lifters checked out or something?

I hate to say it, but this is freaking me out big time. I hate ticks with a passion, and it pisses my off big time that my car just randomly starts ticking after doing absolutely nothing! GRRRR!

Thanks in advance!

1995Volvo850

 

As outlined in the owners manual, it may tick for as long as 15 minutes. Oil 'er up and drive it around. That happens a lot with these motors. You'll likely be ok.

 

Ok, I'll try that.

Is two weeks considered long enough of a sit for the oil to drain from the lifters?

 

dont worry dude.mine ticks all the time.warm or cold,l have had that running for a year now and always ticking without any problem.will likely change all my lifters soon.

 

The sedan I had would tick for a minute or two when I let it sit for a few weeks. But when I drove it daily it never ticks.

My wagon ticks for about 5 seconds if I let it sit for 2 days or more.

 

Well, rspi, you have helped me again, so thanks very much!

I put enough dino-oil 5w30 in so that the level was now on the MAX line, and drove the car around at an easy 30 mph and about 2 minutes in, the ticking progressively became quieter and then went away all together. She purrs like her old self again!

Talk about relief!

 

Glad it stopped. The crazy this is that it is an awful sound and the owners manual actually talks about it as being normal. Yikes!

 

The other thing that can cause it is the oil filter. A lot of people running Fram oil filters were having that ticking on start up. I switched to Bosch and haven't had the ticking come back.

 

I do a solid 10 miles a day, 5 mile round trip round town.

Got a ticking noise yesterday. Oil is 3K+ miles and 7 months old Mobil 1 Synthetic 15W50.

After a 10 minute, 80-90mph highway drive, ticking went completely silent.

Still changed the oil b/c it was time. If you don't do a few highway blasts per month in these cars, they complain.

 

That's pretty thick oil. I usually never use over 10w-40. The manual says 15w-40 max in extream heat. The thicker oil can cause oil flow problems. Just my opinion. A lot of people go to thicker oil to slow down seal leaks. Could be a bad trade off.

 

Do you use the Mobil filter ??

 

It is a bit thick but i've used it for years in all the cars i've owned.

When I just got the car I took a trip to texas, did not know that temps were gonna drop to the low 30s high 20s. Drove around for a few days.

When I got back to fl was when I realized I had 15w50 oil in. Car did not hiccup once nor show any signs of struggle.

I used a mobil 1 oil filter but took it off after one day, I would get nasty ticks on start-up so I stick to oem filter. Don't get it twisted the oem filter sometimes gives a nasty tick at start-up too but seldom.

Oh, and I drive like i'm qualifying for 1st place most times is why I choose to get the thickest oil.